I was leaving the exchange and saw Ross, who is the blind switchboard operator for the air station, sitting at the bus stop waiting for his Miami-Dade County Special Transportation Service car pickup, which was running almost an hour late. I had not seen or talked with Ross since 1993 when I pulled my last active duty at the air station before they decommissioned our reserve unit in 1994. I walked up behind him and said "Hey Ross!" and he answered back "Is that you, Don?" What an unbelievable memory that he has for voices!

We talked for almost half an hour after he used my cell phone to call the STS to find out why his prearranged car was so late. I brought up numerous names of officers (CDR Bob Treat, CDR Pete Heins, CDR Brad Herter, LCDR Paul Karna, LCDR Terry Weeks, LT Craig Veley, LCDR Don McNiel, LCDR Bob Kline, etc. etc.) that I had served with in the reserve unit over the years and he remembered various facts about them and the last thing he had heard about them plus nicknames that they had. He has an incredible memory for voices, names and tidbits about everyone he has ever met. He also remembered all the PERS Warrant Officers that I either worked for or took the place of over the years, CWO4 George Holland for one.

Ross celebrated his 30th year of working the switchboard for the air station in December 2007. Way to go Ross! Any O, or YN who worked in the Personnel Office, who ever knew Ross should give him a call and test his memory to see if he recognizes your voice.